State Treasurer John Kennedy is concerned some of the 11 revenue generating bills approved by the state House were not passed constitutionally. They would raise approximately $615 million dollars to help deal with the current budget crisis. Five of those bills passed with a simple majority from the House, which Kennedy says makes them unconstitutional…:
CUT 12 (10) “two thirds vote”
The five bills in question are all related to scaling back tax exemptions and credits.

A show called “Quarry” is being filmed by HBO this week in Kaplan and it’s got the town a-buzz. Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission Director, Allison Miller, says the series is set in the 70s and a local motel made the cut…:
CUT 4 (06) “looking for”
Miller says the shoot is expected to last about a week and the series will air on Cinemax sometime next year.

The LSU Tigers are headed to the Super Regionals where they’ll face the Ragin Cajuns. Scott Carwile has more…:
CUT 3 (30) “reporting”
The game between LSU and UL-Lafayette Saturday will be at 7pm and on ESPN2.

Today, the estranged heirs of New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owners Tom Benson take the stand as they try and convince a judge that Benson can’t handle his own affairs. Benson told reporters yesterday that he feels good.

Public university leaders are pushing the state legislature to approve a higher education tax credit that’s having trouble getting support in the Louisiana House. They say the SAVE fund is complicated and only offered, so Governor Jindal doesn’t break his no-new-taxes pledge. Board of Regents Chairman Roy O’ Martin understands the concern:
CUT 7 (08) “piece of legislation”
Higher-ed leaders this is needed to prevent deep cuts.

LSU and UL-Lafayette will face off Saturday night at The Box in Baton Rouge at 7pm in the first game of the NCAA Super Regional Series. Tiger and Ragin Cajun baseball fans are scrambling for tickets and planning big tailgates for these huge games. Assistant Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says it speaks volumes that the Saturday game will be on ESPN2.
CUT 10 (08) “itself apart”
The game Sunday will either be at 5 or 6pm.

The Vermilion Parish city of Kaplan is buzzing as an HBO film crew is shooting for a new series there. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Today is day two of the mental competency hearing involving Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson. Benson has been there both days and told reporters heading into the courtroom yesterday that he feels good.

Leaders for public universities and colleges are urging legislators to approve legislation called the “Save Fund.” Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

Grambling State University Presidential Interviews have begun. Today the public and media are hearing questions from Dr. Wayne Brumfield, Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon, and Dr. Thomas Calhoun. Tomorrow will be Dr. Willie Larkin and Dr. Glenda Carter. The new GSU leader will be chosen Thursday.

The Vermilion Parish city of Kaplan is buzzing as an HBO film crew is shooting for a new series there. Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission Director, Allison Miller, says the series is called “Quarry”…:
CUT 3 (10) “much more”
Miller says the shoot is expected to last about a week and the series will air on Cinemax sometime next year.

The first NCAA Super Regional game between LSU and UL-Lafayette will be Saturday night at Alex Box Stadium at 7pm. Many Purple and Gold and Ragin Cajun fans are planning to head out to campus early that morning to tailgate ahead of the big matchup. Assistant Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says you could ask for a better first pitch time Saturday…:
CUT 9 (11) “Saturday night”
The game Sunday will either be at 5 or 6pm. Saturday night’s game will be broadcast on ESPN 2.

Public university leaders are pushing the state legislature to approve a higher education tax credit that’s having trouble getting support in the Louisiana House. University of Louisiana system President Sandra Woodley says the legislation is needed to prevent deep cuts to four and two year colleges…:
CUT 6 (10) “higher education”
The legislation, which has been called the SAVE fund, is facing push back from House members. They say its a complicated and only offered, because Governor Jindal doesn’t want to break his Americans for Tax Reform’s no-new-taxes pledge.

The 5 presidential semi-finalists for Grambling State are being interviewed this week and the university is naming a new leader on Thursday. The interviews are all public and open to the media and GSU spokeswoman Tracy Wright says they are excited about the process…:
CUT 9 (09) “university”

There are 10 days left in the 2015 legislative session and lawmakers do not appear to be close to balancing the state’s budget. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

It will probably look like a packed LSU football tailgating day on Saturday as The Tiger baseball team takes on the UL-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at 7pm. The game on Sunday will either be at 5pm or 6pm and on Monday, if necessary, the game is still TBD. Saturday night’s game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control announces their 2015 Summer Crackdown on underage sales begins this week and runs through August. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says with an increase in their education initiative, they want to ensure that more places will do the right thing and not sell to minors…

cut 12 (09) “or tobacco”

He says last year about 14% of the businesses that ATC checked sold to underage operatives.

Legislation by Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome that would give certain protections to victims of domestic violence when it comes to their housing passes a House committee Monday. Broome says many amendments have been added to this bill to try to add additional protections for property owners…

cut 15 (10) “both sides”

The Senate approved measure now heads to the full House for further consideration.

Monroe Police say a man is being evaluated for mental issues after confronting several people with a knife at a local department store. They say the man confronted some people in the parking lot with a knife and then went into the store and confronted someone he knew. When Police arrived, the unidentified man told them to shoot him. Officers were able to take the knife from the man without anyone getting injured. The man is being evaluated at a local hospital.

The LSU Tigers are headed to the Super Regionals where they’ll face the UL-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns. Scott Carwile has more…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tabasco Control begins its annual summer crackdown on underage sales. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

The Abbeville Police Department says a Lafayette man has been arrested after leading authorities on a high speed chase. They say, during a traffic stop for reckless operaton, 27-year-old Justin St. Julien, sped away and a chase ensued. St. Julien stopped near the Vermillion River where he tried, unsuccessfully, to flee on foot. St. Julien was arrested on multiple charges including possession of a controlled substance with a firearm.

There are 10 days left in the 2015 legislative session and lawmakers do not appear to be close to balancing the state’s budget. The legislative session ends June 11th. La-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the clock is ticking loudly and you can expect things to go down to the wire…

cut 6 (10) “wants to do”

Legislators are tackling a $1.6 billion budget deficit for next fiscal year.

The Grambling State Presidential search has been narrowed to 5 candidates; Dr. Wayne Brumfield, Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon, Dr. Thomas Calhoun, Dr. Willie Larkin, and Dr. Glenda Carter. University spokeswoman Tracy Wright says they will narrow this list down to two on Thursday…

cut 8 (10) “University”

Candidates will begin public interviews today.

We’re in the final 10 days of the legislative session and lawmakers do not appear to be close to agreeing on a revenue-neutral budget as required by Governor Bobby Jindal. La-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says it seems the key to a revenue-neutral budget is the Senate-passed SAVE tax credit that would provide colleges with a tax credit for raising student fees. He says lawmakers are having a hard time understanding the legislation, especially in the House where the bill is pending…

cut 5 (08) “revenue-neutral”

The SAVE tax credit was to be heard in a House committee Monday, but that hearing has been delayed.

The Grambling State Presidential search has been narrowed to 5 candidates who begin public interviews today. University spokeswoman Tracy Wright says interviewing today are Dr. Wayne Brumfield, Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon, and Dr. Thomas Calhoun. She says tomorrow will be Dr. Willie Larkin and Dr. Glenda Carter. Wright says they are happy with the semi-finalists…

cut 7 (04) “will be”

The interviews will be held at the Betty Smith Nursing Building Auditorium and members of the public and the media are invited to attend.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control announces the start of their 2015 Summer Crackdown on underage sales. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says they will be going into businesses with people who are underage trying to buy alcohol or tobacco…:

cut 11 (11) “underage”

Hebert says during last summer’s crackdown, agents issued nearly 900 citations from underage sales.

Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome’s bill that would give certain protections to victims of domestic violence when it comes to their housing passes a House committee Monday. Chalmette Representative Raymond Garofalo did not vote in favor of the bill saying he wanted to see it tightened up for the sake of apartment owners…

cut 14 (09) “situations”

Under the measure, a victim could break a lease to escape a violent situation and the landlord could evict an abuser.

There are 10 days left in the 2015 legislative session and lawmakers do not appear to be close to balancing the state’s budget. Legislators are tackling a $1.6 billion budget deficit for next fiscal year. La-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says lawmakers have serious doubts about being able to produce a revenue-neutral budget as required by Governor Bobby Jindal…

cut 4 (07) “accomplish that”

Alford says it seems the key to a revenue-neutral budget is the Senate-passed SAVE tax credit.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control announces the start of the agency’s annual summer crackdown on underage sales. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says with kids out of school, the chances of them drinking or smoking goes up…

cut 10 (10) “people underage”

He says this is the third year they will increase compliance checks statewide during summer months.

A bill that would give certain protections to victims of domestic violence when it comes to their housing passes a House committee Monday. SB174 is by Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome. Under the measure, a victim could break a lease to escape a violent situation and the landlord could evict an abuser. Chalmette Representative Raymond Garofalo says his concern with the bill deals with landlords…

cut 13 (09) “abuse victims”

The Senate approved measure now heads to the full House for further consideration.